The candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Gbenga Edema, at the weekend, took a swipe at the state government over its resolve to oppose and challenge the Federal Government on the suit over local council autonomy.
According to Edema, the autonomy of the council would not only bring about the required development at the grassroots but also enable the third tier of government to perform its roles as outlined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), had, through the state government, filed a reply against the suit on local council autonomy at the Supreme Court.
Edema, while emphasising that the state government under the All Progressives Congress (APC) had stiffened development at the grassroots, said that he would grant local councils full autonomy when he assumed office as the governor of the state under the platform of the NNPP on February 24, 2025.
He said: “When elected under the platform of the NNPP, I will ensure full local council autonomy. I will also make sure that tenement rates, vehicle stamps, market rates, and all such legitimate rates are collected by them for good utilisation.”
He, therefore, urged the people of the state not to allow Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa use the money meant for the development of local councils for election purposes.
